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Before the dust had even settled and the chatter quieted surrounding the major Ikon pass announcement Alterra Mountain Company made last week at the Outdoor Retailer show, Vail Resorts fired back with some news of its own: Telluride will be part of the Epic Pass starting next season for what's being called a "long-term alliance," according to a press release.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Telluride Ski Resort on the Epic Pass for the 2018/19 winter season, offering skiers and snowboarders even greater value and variety with the most popular season pass in the mountain resort industry," said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. "Telluride is on the bucket list of skiers and snowboarders around the world and we’re delighted to offer this iconic mountain resort as part of the Epic Pass experience.”

The ability to ski Telluride will be included as part of the Epic Pass (seven days, no blackouts and $50 Telluride lift tickets thereafter), Epic 7-Day Pass (up to seven days, no blackouts and 20 percent off of additional Telluride lift tickets thereafter), and Epic 4-Day Pass (up to four days, no blackouts and 20 percent off of additional Telluride lift tickets thereafter). Telluride will no longer be accessible via the Mountain Collective pass after the 2017/2018 ski season.

This latest partnership brings the Epic Pass ski resort count to 46 (a conspicuous doubling of the 23 on Ikon) mountain resorts in seven countries and adds access to a destination rated the “#1 Ski Resort in North America” five of the last six years by readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

“Telluride is excited to join the Epic Pass and a collection of world-class mountain resorts that skiers and snowboarders around the world come back to time and again," said Bill Jensen, CEO of Telluride Ski & Golf. "This new season pass alliance is more comprehensive and longer term than prior pass alliances and will provide an incredible benefit for both Telluride guests and our resort community. Epic Pass skiers and snowboarders thrive on new, unique one-of-a-kind adventures. We offer an extraordinary big mountain experience, signature hospitality and guest service, and an authentic, welcoming mountain town surrounded by stunning scenery.”

In addition to the new Telluride offering, the Epic Pass offers full access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; and Perisher in Australia, with no blackout dates. The Epic Pass also provides limited access to Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Tignes-Val D’Isere in France; 4 Vallées in Switzerland; Arlberg in Austria and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy.